Environmentalists of Color Collective

The Environmentalists of Color Collective at UCLA is a student-led organization dedicated to advancing environmental justice through community engagement, education, and advocacy in Los Angeles, CA. Operating from the University of California - Los Angeles campus, the organization provides comprehensive programming designed to build capacity among environmentalists of color and foster critical dialogue around sustainability issues.

The Collective's core offerings include weekly meetings that combine leadership development with environmental justice education, featuring documentary screenings, potlucks, and collaborative learning experiences. Members benefit from accessible programming structured around collective healing principles, ensuring a supportive environment for continuous growth and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. The organization hosts the annual Climate Justice Forum, a signature event that brings together local environmental advocates and community members for in-depth conversations about intersectional environmental issues.

Beyond campus programming, the Collective produces tangible resources for broader community impact, including educational zines, community toolkits, and practical guides for civic engagement. The organization actively co-sponsors events with other environmental groups and invites external speakers to amplify diverse perspectives within the environmental movement. Their work specifically addresses how issues of environmental justice intersect with race, class, gender, ability, and nationality.

Founded in 2017, the Environmentalists of Color Collective challenges the white-dominated conventions of contemporary environmentalism by centering the narratives, experiences, and needs of Black, Indigenous, and people of color environmentalists. Through strategic partnerships, educational initiatives, and community organizing, the organization works to expand environmental discourse and create more equitable solutions to climate change and sustainability challenges affecting Los Angeles and beyond.